Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement signed with the European Community
The European Community signed a science and technology (S&T) cooperation agreement with New Zealand on 16th July 2008.
The Agreement was signed by the New Zealand Ambassador to the European Union, HE Peter Kennedy on behalf of New Zealand, European Commission Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potočnik and Mme. Valérie Pécresse, the French Minister for Higher Education and Research on behalf of the European Community.
Background
New Zealand has had an informal Arrangement for Cooperation in Science and Technology with the European Union since 1991. Evidence has shown that a full Agreement would be more beneficial for improved cooperation between New Zealand and European researchers.
Why have an agreement?
Links to European research are very important for New Zealand. Europe conducts about 40% of the world’s non-military research. The EU is investing heavily in research areas that are of mutual interest to New Zealand. A 2003 MoRST survey showed that over half of New Zealand’s researchers have an active collaboration with a European partner.
New Zealand's reputation
New Zealand has a recognised reputation in a number of research fields that are of interest to the EU. These include natural resource-based sciences (agriculture, plant and animal science, environmental science), medical, and information and communications technology (ICT) research. It will also build the profile of New Zealand’s science capability within the European Union and its Member States.
What does the agreement do?
The Agreement will ensure that New Zealand researchers are eligible for specific opportunities under the European Commission’s Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7) and subsequent Framework Programmes.
A number of research programmes supported by the European Commission are open to international collaboration with European countries and often these are only open to those countries that have an STC Agreement. New Zealand now is able to participate as a partner in schemes such as the International Research Staff Exchange Scheme under the FP7 People Specific Programme. We have also had a successful bid under the FP7 Capacities Specific Programme, for improved MoRST-European Commission support for the FRENZ service.
New Zealand will meet formally, at least once every two years, in a Joint Science and Technology Committee meeting (JSTC) with senior officials from the European Commission to discuss common research opportunities, and identify future joint work.
Key components of the Agreement
- Principles which govern co-operative activities, including mutual and equitable contributions and benefits;
- Definitions of the two forms of cooperation covered by the Agreement: “Direct Cooperative Activities” which are, in essence, those activities undertaken between the New Zealand Government (chiefly MoRST) and the Commission; and “Indirect Cooperative Activities” undertaken by the broader research communities, which will constitute the bulk of collaborative initiatives;
- A suite of four operational sections which, amongst other things:
- provide for mutual access by Participants of both sides in “Indirect Cooperative Activities” operated or funded by the other Party;
- provide for the facilitation of entry and exit of personnel and equipment involved in activities under the Agreement into each Party’s territory;
- define responsibility for funding activities under the Agreement; costs of Cooperative Activities are borne as decided by the Participants or Parties involved;
- implementation of the Agreement is subject to the availability of appropriated funds; and financial support provided by the Parties is also eligible for any relevant tax exemptions (principally an exemption from EU Value Added Tax); and
- establish a Joint Committee charged with ensuring the effective implementation of the Agreement.
- An annex to the Agreement defines and provides mechanisms for allocating rights to any intellectual property generated from activities which occur within the ambit of the Agreement.
More information